Hey folkd, I have about 100 223 range brass from my last trip that I picked up, wondering what is a good all around primer for 223, will be using Varget powder with SMK bullets. Thanks!
Which primers for 223
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I'm having pretty decent results w Fed205s, but there are several brands that people seem to like. A lot will depend on what you can actually find.
Simplest answer: Whatever you can get your hands on....
The Remington 7 1/2s were good for many people. Remington Small Rifle Bench Rest Primers #7-1/2
I managed to get a case of Fed205M - so that's what I use.
I'm sure the CCI BR4s are good too.
There's also some Federal AR primers that are being produced... Federal Premium Gold Medal AR Match Grade Small Rifle Primers
CCI has something along the lines too (military primers). CCI Small Rifle Military Primers #41
I believe the cups are just harder for the AR primers - so that it reduces the chance of slam fires.
The Remington 7 1/2s were good for many people. Remington Small Rifle Bench Rest Primers #7-1/2
I managed to get a case of Fed205M - so that's what I use.
I'm sure the CCI BR4s are good too.
There's also some Federal AR primers that are being produced... Federal Premium Gold Medal AR Match Grade Small Rifle Primers
CCI has something along the lines too (military primers). CCI Small Rifle Military Primers #41
I believe the cups are just harder for the AR primers - so that it reduces the chance of slam fires.
I'm going to defer to your reloading manual on that.
I've seen on other forums that the CCI #41s are equivalent to the CCI #450 Magnum primer.
I've also seen where other guys have used them in 223 just fine.
Do some more research on them before you buy and use them.
It is recommended with the AR15 to use primers with a cup thickness of .025 to reduce the chance of slam fires.
Primers and Pressure Analysis within AccurateShooter.com
Primer Info & Chart + Milspec Primers for Semi-Autos & Other Primer Applications
Guess what primers Remington used when it ran Lake City Army Ammunition Plant and produced 5.56 ammunition for the military.
Remington 7 1/2 primers are known as mini flamethrowers and lit off the Winchester ball powder loaded at Lake City.
Primers - Small Rifle Primer Study
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/primers-small-rifle-primer-study.html
Primers - Large Rifle Primer Study
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/primers-large-rifle-primer-study.html
Primers: It Don't Go Bang
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/08/primers-it-dont-go-bang.html
Primers and Pressure Analysis within AccurateShooter.com
Primer Info & Chart + Milspec Primers for Semi-Autos & Other Primer Applications
Guess what primers Remington used when it ran Lake City Army Ammunition Plant and produced 5.56 ammunition for the military.
Remington 7 1/2 primers are known as mini flamethrowers and lit off the Winchester ball powder loaded at Lake City.
Primers - Small Rifle Primer Study
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/primers-small-rifle-primer-study.html
Primers - Large Rifle Primer Study
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/06/primers-large-rifle-primer-study.html
Primers: It Don't Go Bang
http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/2009/08/primers-it-dont-go-bang.html
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I use the rem 7 1/2 for everything from match loads to fun ar loads, never had a slam fire and they seem to be very consistant, I use them in everything and love them, they seem to be very good for igniting all your ball powders and work really well with my bolt guns varget loads, it's nice to have a primer that works for everything it seems, on the other had I think I have five different primers for my 308s and it seems each powder likes a specific primer,
According to German's small rifle primer tests linked by bigedp51 above, the Fed205s arguably gave the most consistent results, at least in a 6BR. A hot primer (flamethrower) is not always the most desirable. Much will depend on matching the primer's characteristics to your intended use [case/powder/bullet/shooting conditions, etc.].
I use wolf primers in my AR with Varget and 77 gr. SMK , and also in my bolt .223 with Varget / 80 gr. AMAX with great success.
I use Rem 7 1/2 BR primers for all of my .223 reloading. Both with my Varget/69 SMK loads and Benchmark/50 V-max loads.
I get slam fires on my LWRC when I run suppressed and am using my reloaded ammo that had the Federal 205 primers. It is very frustrating.
Be sure to get the CCI #41 primers. They are specifically designed for the AR platform.
Be sure to get the CCI #41 primers. They are specifically designed for the AR platform.
Yes.
The only thing to be concerned about is if the brass is 5.56 military. The military brass, with an "LC" head stamp, will have the primers crimped. In order to remove the crimp, you have to use a swage device, such as the Dillon Super Swage 600. I purchased 4000 pieces of once fired LC 5.56mm brass from Wideners and had to remove the crimp on ALL of them. Sigh, it was quite the chore.
Another thing to be concerned about is Varget. I used Varget powder and ended up putting too much powder in them. I realized later (after 5 cases worth later) that the powder was 119% over capacity and so it slightly bulged the case wall. With tight chambers, such as my BCM MK12 upper assembly, they get stuck. My HK and my LWRC, however, eat them up no problem. I would recommend a faster powder, something like H335 or something faster. That way, you use less powder and do not run the risk of overpacking the powder and exceeding the case's water capacity.
Hope this information helps!
Thanks for the heads up about the varget! That's the only powder I have at the moment so I'll try and pick up some H335 and was looking at IMR 4064 or any other suggestions would be great as I can't seem to find H335 in stock
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All I've used so far. Loaded over 1,000 using the CCI 400 with no issues. Personally I don't think the primer is the main concern. Powder and bullet selection are going to get you the most bang for your buck.
I use a VLD type chamfer tool. One twist and its done. I would like to get a decent swage tool for higher volume case prep, though.
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I've run CCI 400's in plenty or AR loads (223 and 6X45) with never an issue. As stated above, the .025 cup thickness is a good recommendation.
Per CCI, the difference in the 450’s and C41’s is only a little buffer zone of space between the anvil and the cup to further prevent slam fires.
I no longer use Federal primers in any application due to the thin cups. Not that primers are a positive sign of excessive pressure, it is just unsettling seeing flat and cratered primers. And the packages are a fricken PITA.
I used Winchester SR exclusively for years, both in match ammo and blasting ammo. Never had a single problem. Due to the recent unpleasantness I was only able to find Remington 7 1/2 in regular and benchrest. Both seem to do very well. My .223 700 shoots 1.5" to 2" groups at 400 yards with any of the three.
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